Marbled Beauty

73.084 (2293) Marbled Beauty Bryophila domestica (Hufnagel, 1766)

Status

Resident. Local.

Flight period

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

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█

█

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History

Lennon (1863) recorded it first after finding it at the Crichton Institution where he worked. Gordon (1913) recorded one taken on the window of the Galloway Arms Hotel in Newton Stewart on 2nd August 1905. Archibald Russell (1944) listed it as occurring near Gatehouse of Fleet (VC73) during the years 1942-43. Sir Arthur Duncan (1909-84) during his lifetime had found it at Tynron and Castlehill, Dumfries (all VC72). Cunningham (1947) in the 'Transactions' had two records both at light in Dumfries, one in late September 1946, the other late July 1947.

During 1974-80 there were four records from the Gatehouse of Fleet Rothamsted station, a single from Caerlaverock and nine from the Newton Stewart station. A poor return.

In 1978 and 1980 it was found in the Lockerbie area.

The next records were in 1994 from the regular trapped site at Kirkton until 2010, amounting to twenty records. Of the nearly thirty records left, these were trapped at widely scattered sites across the region.

Life cycle

One generation. Overwinters as a small larva during September to May, feeding at night and hiding by day in a silekn retreat, from where it pupates.

Larval foodplants

Lichens growings on trees, rocks and walls.

Identification

The grey cross-band edged with a dark line basally which runs completely from the costa to the dorsum will aid identity.

Habitat

Found in wide range of habitats, wherever its lichen foodplants grow on rocks and walls.